Fleet of foot and solid in the tackle

Photo: Pictures by TIM ABRAM.

KICKING KING . . . Callum Megram continued his excellent form with the boot.

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Fleetwood 1stS 5

Oldham 1stS 24

OLDHAM produced their best display of the season to keep free-scoring Fleetwood at arm’s length.

The hosts had scored over 200 points in only eight games in North Lancashire and Cumbria League this season, so this was a particularly strong defensive effort from Oldham, who had worked hard on the training ground to achieve this result.

On a day in which all four seasons arrived in 80 minutes of action, Oldham played against the wind in the first half.

But they were the better team and went in front when a powerful driving maul was collapsed illegally and led to the award of a penalty try and yellow card. Callum Meagram’s conversion made it 7-0.

Oldham continued their dominance in the scrum with young Tom Hannon, making a start at loose head, showing skill and maturity beyond his years.

And when Fleetwood were able to feed their backs, Oldham’s defensive structure quickly snuffed out any danger with Gareth Barber, Josh Watson and Charlie Roscoe maintaining a stout and solid midfield line.

It was nothing but a fair reflection of the game, then, when Oldham extended their lead after 15 minutes.

Adam Waterhouse picked up at the back of a five-metre scrum and drove over for a try which Megram converted.

Further trouble followed for Fleetwood as frustration began to show and they received a second yellow card for a punch following a minor fracas at a breakdown. This came after they had been awarded a kickable penalty which the referee reversed.

The perceived injustice of this seemed to spur on Fleetwood and they enjoyed their best passage of the game.

Oldham resisted several attacking waves, but their defence was breached after 25 minutes with a try on the left following some deft handling.

Leading 14-5 at half-time, Oldham stretched their advantage when Megram landed a penalty and they completed the scoring in the 55th minute.

Will Mellor found Phil Graham and he produced a perfectly-weighted kick to the left for Max Horsfall, who grounded his own grubber kick in the corner. A fine kick from the touchline by Megram made it 24-5.

Oldham 3rds 29

Aldwinians 3rds 27

A LATE try from Lewis North gave Oldham victory over determined opponents.

Aldwinians opened the scoring with a converted try, but Oldham produced the same seven points

courtesy of Alan Pierre and the boot of Chris Brown.

Aldwinians moved the ball well and produced tries after 18 and 22 minutes, one of them being converted.

However, North reduced the arrears with the first of his two tries, Brown again converting.

Aldwinians extended their lead after the break with a try in the corner after a long kick and chase.

Wayne Hadfield, playing on the left wing, went over in the corner for Oldham, but Aldwinians replied with a penalty kick.

Oldham’s next riposte came via a try from Craig Geddy, who was playing his first match of the season.

The difference was now only three points and a period of quick recycles and offloads ended with North running through for the game-clinching try.

OLDHAM second team’s match at Vale Of Lune was cancelled because of a waterlogged pitch.